Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, has faced relentless scrutiny over her career choices, from her coaching changes to her tournament schedule. Yet, former British No. 1 Tim Henman has emerged as her steadfast defender, delivering a powerful rebuke to her detractors in a candid interview on July 18, 2025. As Raducanu prepares for the hard-court swing leading to the US Open, Henman’s bold statement—“There is almost a borderline obsession about different elements of her game and where she is going wrong”—underscores his belief that the 22-year-old’s critics are missing the bigger picture. With her ranking climbing to No. 61 and a renewed focus on physical resilience, Henman insists Raducanu is on the cusp of a major breakthrough, urging patience for a player poised to reclaim her place among tennis’s elite.
Raducanu’s journey since her stunning US Open triumph at 18 has been a rollercoaster. Her 2021 victory as a qualifier, without dropping a set, remains one of tennis’s greatest fairytales, but injuries and inconsistent results have fueled skepticism. After undergoing wrist and ankle surgeries in 2023, she missed much of that season, dropping to No. 300 in the rankings. Her 2025 campaign, however, shows signs of resurgence. A third-round appearance at the Australian Open, a quarter-final run at the Miami Open, and a valiant effort against world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka at Wimbledon—where she pushed the top seed to a 7-6, 6-4 defeat—highlight her progress. “She’s a much better player than she was in 2021 because she’s had four more years of experience,” Henman declared, emphasizing her growth through adversity. Her recent performances, including a quarter-final at the WTA 500 in Washington and a win over former champion Marketa Vondrousova at Wimbledon, have propelled her into the top 50 of the WTA Race.
Critics have fixated on Raducanu’s decisions, notably her choice to skip qualifying for the 2024 French Open to focus on grass courts, a move that paid off with a semi-final in Nottingham and a last-16 finish at Wimbledon. Her withdrawal from the Paris Olympics and limited hard-court preparation before the 2024 US Open, where she fell to Sofia Kenin in the first round, drew further ire. Yet Henman dismisses the criticism as overblown. “She hasn’t played in Canada and Cincinnati… big deal! It’s two tournaments out of 52 weeks,” he said, pointing to her packed 2025 schedule, which included 18 wins and strong showings against top players like Emma Navarro and Caroline Garcia. “She is continuing to build and get fitter, stronger, and faster. Her game is fantastic,” he added, predicting a top-20 or top-30 ranking soon if she maintains her trajectory.
Henman’s support extends to Raducanu’s coaching carousel, a frequent target of detractors. Since 2021, she has parted ways with coaches like Andrew Richardson, Nigel Sears, and Nick Cavaday, who stepped back in January 2025 for health reasons. “The circumstances of this relationship ending are different,” Henman noted, distinguishing Cavaday’s exit from earlier splits. He praised Raducanu’s decision to hire fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura, addressing her history of injuries, including a back issue that sidelined her early in 2025. “If you asked whether the priority is technical, physical, or mental, I think it’s physical so that she can compete week-in, week-out,” he said. Her resilience was evident in her return to action in Abu Dhabi after a three-hour loss to Cristina Bucsa at the Singapore Open, a move Henman lauded: “That’s a great move, and if she can just stay healthy and compete a lot, the results will come, because she’s that good.”
Raducanu’s mental fortitude also shines through. After her Wimbledon loss to Sabalenka, she reflected, “I think Iga [Swiatek] played really well… it kind of puts a lot of pressure on from the beginning.” Henman sees this as a sign of maturity, noting her ability to compete on the biggest stages, like her near-upset of Sabalenka. “She had a really good chance to win that match, and I’m sure that will motivate her,” he said. Her upcoming US Open mixed doubles partnership with Carlos Alcaraz adds intrigue, potentially boosting her confidence on hard courts, where she thrives.
Henman’s own history with Raducanu, from mentoring her during her US Open run to celebrating her victory, informs his optimism. “The way she was playing, the way she was behaving… you were wondering, ‘is this destiny?’” he recalled. As Raducanu navigates the North American swing, including Washington and potentially Toronto, Henman’s message to her critics is clear: “We need to be patient, keep supporting her, and good things will happen.” With her talent undeniable and her physical foundation strengthening, Raducanu’s path to the top seems not a question of if, but when.
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